Out & About May 2017

A very rare Steiff black teddy bear, circa 1912 (known as the Titanic Bear) – £18,880 – June 12, 2014

Jena Pang with his collection

ONCEYOU ARE FAMILIAR WITHTHE MARKET: 1. Buy the best you can afford. 2. Don’t over-restore. 3. Buy a display cabinet, keep all your bears here. It is much easier to protect your investment. Once full, buy another cabinet, before another bear. 4. Consider purchasing bears by smaller unknown makers – they can be just as rare and charming as well-known makes. 5. Teach yourself how to gently clean bears, starting with low-value ones, then do small ‘mum-style’ repairs. Never use glue. If something special needs doing, give it to a good restorer. 6. Important to keep bears dust-free, check monthly for moths and every new purchase should go in the freezer for 48 hours wrapped in several plastic bags.

TOPTIPS FORTEDDY BEAR COLLECTING: 1. Do your homework. Buy reference books, study the market. Don’t rush into buying. 2. Start cheap – there are plenty of vintage bears for as little as £20 to £80. 3. Visit museums, auctions and fairs – where you can see bears in person and handle them. When buying at auction, ask for advice and condition reports. 4. Talk to dealers, often a reasonable place to buy your first good bear. At least you know you are getting what they say it is.

Thomas Plant discovered his love for auctioneering at a young age, living on the family farm. Watching the man with the gavel at local cattle auctions was a regular event, and Thomas quickly decided on which side of the rostrum he’d rather be. He went on to take a degree in antiques and served his apprenticeship with leading auction houses, including Christie’s in London. Today, Thomas is the co-owner of Special Auction Services in Newbury and is also a favourite TV expert on BBC programmes, including Bargain Hunt, Flog it! and Antiques Road Trip . BEWARE • If it’s under £200 and it looks like an antique Steiff in good condition, it is not an antique or Steiff • Do not buy on-line until you know your stuff

An extremely rare Steiff ‘paper-plush’ teddy bear circa 1919 – £8,260 – July 18, 2013

If you’ve any jewellery, antiques and collectables you’d like valued for auction, don’t forget SAS hold free valuation days every Wednesday at: Saleroom Two, 80 Greenham Business Park, Newbury, RG19 6HW. Telephone (01635) 580 595 for an appointment. www.specialauctionservices.com

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